SINGAPORE—The Philippines will advance discussions on the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) as it assumes the chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, aiming for both energy security and decarbonization across the region.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced the initiative to reporters on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week. She cited the APG’s role as a vital instrument to achieve the dual objectives of reliable, affordable energy and a transition to cleaner sources.
“The ASEAN Power Grid remains one of our most vital instruments to realize this dual objective, embodying the spirit of ASEAN: shared prosperity, shared responsibility and shared commitment to a sustainable future,” Garin said.
She said during the Philippines’ term, the focus would be on working closely with member states, dialogue partners and the private sector to sustain existing initiatives and advance mechanisms that deliver tangible, system-level benefits for an interconnected ASEAN.
Garin said regional interconnection is crucial for meeting renewable energy targets. She noted that variable renewable resources require broader balancing areas and systems that operate beyond national boundaries.
“Without cooperation, the cost of the transition will be higher, the pace will be slower, and the risks to system reliability will be greater,” she said.
The region has already made substantial progress under the APG framework. Garin reported that half of the priority projects identified under the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study Phase 3 are now operational, demonstrating that regional integration is a “growing reality.”
To sustain this momentum and move toward full regional power integration, the focus should shift to addressing key challenges in technical harmonization, market design and investment mobilization.
She said cooperation should extend beyond physical links to aligning national policies so that systems can operate seamlessly across borders.
Financing for the APG’s cross-border projects demands substantial capital.
Garin called for innovative financing models and blended mechanisms that leverage public, private and multilateral support, noting that the recent launch of the new APG Financing initiative, in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank Group, marks an important step.
